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Simple & Pragmatic Problem Solving
#112Chapter 8: Modern Problem-Solving Techniques• Modern Problem Solving TechniquesBiological, Ecosystem, Nature-Inspired Sustainable ThinkingIndividual and group (engineering and biology teams) ModeWeeks to Months(Time-consuming)

Biomimicry Problem-Solving Technique

From the book "Advanced Problem-Solving Toolbox: 115 Creative Plays" | Compiled & Edited by: Mojtaba Goudarzi, Open translation: Mehrshid Goudarzi
Executive Synopsis & Core Logic:

taking advantage of 3.8 billion years of nature's free research and development; Translating engineering challenges into the language of biology and reverse engineering the structures, processes and ecosystems of organisms to achieve sustainable and optimal solutions.

Operational Parameters & Specifications

Category
Modern Problem Solving Techniques
Dominant Thinking
Biological, Ecosystem, Nature-Inspired Sustainable
Participation
Individual and group (engineering and biology teams)
Estimated TimeTime-consuming
Weeks to Months
Workshop
Input Format
Engineering or design challenge, biologized question ('How did nature solve this?'), biomimicry databases (AskNature)
Output Format
Sustainable and organic designs, aerodynamic forms, new materials With extraordinary efficiency
Key Application
Super-quick and silent vehicle design, self-ventilated building architecture, self-cleaning hydrophobic fabrics, resin-free bio-adhesives and optimal water management.
Core Differentiator:

Looking at nature as a teacher and model, not a source of plunder; Discover solutions that provide the highest strength and energy efficiency at ambient temperature and without toxins.

Quick Field Example:

Engineers of Japan's high-speed train (Shinkansen) to solve the terrible sound of exiting the tunnel, designed the tip of the train to resemble the beak of a osprey, which both eliminates the sound and increases the speed by 10%.

Operational Benefits & Implementation Risks

Advantages & Value Creation:

Achieving the highest energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, creating radical innovations and registering revolutionary patents, fully aligning with the circular economy.

Risks & Potential Trade-offs:

requires the mastery of biology concepts or the presence of a biologist in the engineering team, the difficulty and high cost of the laboratory synthesis of some natural nano structures.

Real-World Organizational & Industry Scenarios

Transportation and aerospace: Design of wind turbine and airplane wing edges inspired by humpback whale fin ridges.
Sustainable architecture and ventilation: building a commercial complex without an electrical cooling system inspired by the air channels of termites' nests.
Medical and surgical engineering: Making completely painless injection needles by copying the serrated structure of mosquito bites.

Strategic Rationale & Why to Apply

1Nature has conducted 3.8 billion years of laboratory testing: the species alive today are the winners of the world's most optimal engineering design.
2Nature does not produce waste: the output of one process in nature is the feed and input of the next process.
3Form prevails over matter: Nature creates strength and efficiency with intelligent geometric construction, not by adding heavy materials.
4Total compatibility with life: biomimicry solutions are inherently sustainable and do not destroy the planet.

Conceptual Framework & Book Method Description

Biomimicry, coined by Janine Benyus in the 1990s, is the science of consciously imitating the genius of nature. This process uses the 'Biology to Design' or 'Challenge to Biology' methodology. In this method, engineers first biologicalize the problem (for example, instead of 'How do we make glue?' they ask 'How does nature bond wet surfaces together?'). Then, by studying model organisms (such as oysters, gecko lizard legs or lotus leaves), they extract physical and chemical principles and translate them into industrial technologies.

Step-by-Step Real-World Implementation Scenario

Removal of Shinkansen bullet train sound blast wave inspired by a fish-eating bird
1
Step 1: Biologizing the Aerodynamic ChallengeThe problem was redefined: 'Which living thing in nature dives from a thin medium (air) to a thick medium (water) with the least amount of friction and turbulence?'
2
Step 2: Discover the Natural Model (Kingfisher)The senior engineer, who was an amateur ornithologist, identified the long, spindle-shaped beak of the kingfisher as the winning organism.
3
Step 3: Deriving the mathematical geometry of the beakThe team modeled the shape of the beak in wind tunnel and fluid dynamics simulation (CFD) and proved its negligible resistance to air resistance.
4
Step 4: Design and reconstruction of the nose of the 500 series trainThe 15-meter long nose of the train was redesigned and built with direct inspiration from the lines of the bird's beak.
5
Step 5: Evaluation on Japanese Railway LinesThe sound blast has completely disappeared; The air pressure decreased by 30%, the electricity consumption of the train decreased by 15% and the speed reached 300 km/h.

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